“Does your Boy Scout training teach you to use
your heads so successfully? One would think that
this hold-up and the rescue were both plotted and
planned some time ahead, judging by the skill with
which you worked.”

“Don’t flatter us too much, uncle, or
you may tempt us to help along the deception by leading
you to believe that we really are a remarkable bunch
of boys,” Clifford warned, slyly.

“I not only believe it, but I know it,”
replied Mr. Stanlock with stubborn generosity.
“So, if I am deceived, the fault is all my own.
But, Clifford, I didn’t know you were in town.
When did you come? You haven’t been over
at the house yet, have you?”

“No, not yet, uncle,” Clifford answered,
slowly. “And I’m not coming over
for a few days. The fact is, we are here on a
hunting trip and a mystery mission, and we want you
to help us keep our secret. Since we have proved
ourselves to be a very unusual lot of boys, perhaps
you will take special care to favor us in this respect.
We are planning a surprise on the girls, and we don’t
want you to tell them we are in town.”

“My lips are sealed until you unseal them,”
Mr. Stanlock assured them. “But where are
you staying?”

“All of us are members of one patrol of Scouts
at Spring Lake Academy, all except Paul Hunter.
We came here on an invitation from Ernie Hunter, and
we are living in a cave at the west end of Mr. Hunter’s
farm.”

“In a cave!” Mr. Stanlock exclaimed with
some concern. “Isn’t that rather
an unhealthful place for you to live? You don’t
sleep there, I hope?”

“We certainly do, uncle; or, rather, we are
going to, for this is our first night. I wish
you could come over and see it. It’s as
dry and warm as can be. Paul dried it out by
keeping a stove burning in it for several days.”

“A stove in a cave!” was Mr. Stanlock’s
astonished comment. “That is surely some
combination of wild nature and mechanical civilization.
I shall certainly inspect your domesticated wild-and-woolly
retreat. When am I invited to come?”

“Any time, Mr. Stanlock,” Ernie interposed,
with the hospitality of host. “Name your
time and we’ll be there to receive you.”

“You’ll have quite a walk to the cave
tonight, and the walking isn’t very good, I
venture. Pile in and I’ll take you in the
machine.”

“I’m afraid we’ll make more of a
load than you can carry,” said Ernie.

“This machine can carry seven, nine in a pinch,
and eleven in a case of life and death,” assured
Mr. Stanlock. “But I’ve got an idea
that will cut off the life and death. I am bringing
home a large sled that a young manual training student
made for my seven-year-old son, Harold. It has
a good, strong rope attached, and we will hitch it
on behind, and two of you boys can ride on that.”

“Let’s you and me hitch,” said Paul
to Jerry, eagerly. Jerry was just as eager, and
the problem of carrying ten passengers and the chauffeur
was settled.